Top firms invested in China

Until now, 490 out of the world top 500 companies have invested in China and established more than 1,600 Research and Development centers and regional headquarters, a Chinese senior commerce official said. Foreign-invested firms have reaped great benefits from this huge market. Sales of these companies exceeded 33 trillion Yuan ($5.24 trillion) in China in 2010 alone, China's Vice Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said. According to Chinese newspaper (People's Daily), China has boosted its investment in other parts of the world. By the end of 2011, China's outbound direct investment exceeded $380 billion. There were more than 18,000 Chinese-funded companies operating in 178 countries and regions at the end of last year, with total assets reaching approximately $1.6 trillion, Gao added. (QNA)